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El Paso, TX – There are many formulas for winning and far too many clichés to go along with them. What it comes down to though is if you follow your assignments, study your opponent, and play with the fundamentals you’re taught then eventually things will go your way; at least if your assignments are well coached, the information on your opponent is legitimate, and the fundamentals you were taught are good ones.

With that said, there is something more to a good old fashioned, grind it out kind of game. On Friday, the Rhinos found themselves in just that with the Texas Brahmas. These two teams kick started the second half of their six game series with a thriller for El Paso fans. After the Brahmas broke the Rhinos win streak last weekend, El Paso came into this one with a lot of confidence. Center Trey Hughes in fact guaranteed a sweep this weekend and so far he is on the right track after their 6-3 win.

It didn’t start off so hot though as El Paso was down 2-1 going into the second period. But riding the hot hand of captain Mike Rivera, they not only tied it up but was able to take a 3-2 lead following another goal by Hughes. To start the final period, Curtis Kort buried his second of the night behind Trent Casper to tie it up for the Brahmas, but less than three minutes later Rivera gave El Paso the lead again.

The biggest turning point according to Rhinos coach Cory Herman was during Chris Wilhite’s holding penalty. Late into the kill the Rhinos took a shot at Zane Sampson who was forced to cover the puck. On the ensuing faceoff, Trey Hughes ripped a shot from the dot that gave El Paso a two goal lead, one they wouldn’t give back. Tyler Basham would add one more before the Rhinos went home victors.

Game two (or five however you wish to look at it) is on Saturday where El Paso is just two games away from proving Hughes right.

Matt Prosser, El Paso Rhinos Beat Writer for JuniorHockey.com. Freelance writer from the San Francisco Bay Area. Voice of California State University, Sacramento Hockey and host of The Sports Cycle with Matt Prosser on KSSU 1580AM in Sacramento and KSSU.com. Also broadcasts Hornets football, baseball, and softball. E-mail MProsser58@gmail.com for comments and writing ventures. Follow on Twitter @kssuMattProsser or visit www.kssusportscycle.com.